Passover: History, Traditions, Seders and Food
Passover, or Pesach, celebrates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, where they were slaves. The holiday has also come to symbolize and commemorate various types of individual, political and social freedom in modern times. Although there are basic laws and traditions, Passover can be a personalized celebration. The veritable cornucopia of Haggadahs available indicates the many ways to observe the holiday; every family celebrates in their own fashion. Learn about the basic traditions and choose some new ones to spice up your holiday.
Expand All Guide SectionsHistory and Traditions of Passover
Passover primarily celebrates the Jews’ exodus from Egypt, but it’s also a celebration of spring, rebirth and our modern-day quest for freedom. Below, you’ll find sites explaining the full history and current traditions of Passover.
Dulcinea's Insight
- The most traditional way to learn about the history of Passover is via the haggadah, the prayer book read at the seder, the Passover service and ritual meal. Find out about haggadahs in the “Passover Seder” section.
- One of Passover’s most important practices occurs just before the holiday begins: ridding the house of chametz, or leavened products. Chabad.org’s guide can show you how to do it correctly.
- Chabad.org, Aish.com and Beliefnet are all featured multiple times in this guide and offer comprehensive coverage of each aspect of the Passover holiday. We’ve distilled some of the most essential points from each site, but explore all of their Passover content to become a true expert or to just get your questions answered.
Dulcinea's Picks
Beliefnet
’s Guide to Passover is the most comprehensive one out there. If you’re new to the holiday or looking for a refresher course, your first stop should be “What Is Passover?”
MyJewishLearning.com
succinctly delivers an overview of Passover celebration history. The site traces the festivals and celebrations that merged and shifted to become the holiday we know today.
Chabad.org
puts the complete history of Passover in a bright, accessible interface that presents content about the holiday in an engaging manner.
The Passover Seder
Although Passover is observed for eight days, only the first two days are celebrated with a ... read more »
Kosher for Passover Foods
Passover is one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar, and a joyous celebration of ... read more »
Passover Wine
During the Passover seder, one of the rituals involves drinking four cups of wine. Even people who ... read more »
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